Farming and Agriculture

Agriculture is the economic engine of both San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Agriculture creates a substantial part of the revenues and jobs in our region and without water, ag will suffer. Farms may go out of business and others may have to drastically cut back which could result in less overall revenue for the counties and fewer jobs. Both the South San Joaquin Irrigation and the Oakdale Irrigation Districts divert their water from the Stanislaus River under water rights dating to 1853. This water is used to grow food and provides drinking water for 160,000 people. Diversions will be significantly impacted under the BO and may even have to be curtailed completely during certain years.

Groundwater likely cannot solely meet this large a need for water. Impacts to permanent agriculture crops such as almonds and grapes could devastate the local economy as has occurred over the last several years in the southern part of the SJ Valley from reduced CVP (Central Valley Project) allocations.